On August 18, ISIS claimed responsibility for two vehicle-ramming attacks that occurred last week in Barcelona and Cambrils, Spain, killing 15 and injuring over 100. These incidents are the seventh and eighth such attacks in Europe in 2017 and highlight the threat posed to public assembly areas.

On August 17, Younes Abouyaaqoub drove a van into pedestrians at a popular commercial district in Barcelona, killing 13 and wounding at least 100. Abouyaaqoub drove over a sidewalk and zig-zagged through crowds, striking pedestrians and cyclists before escaping on foot. Spanish authorities killed Abouyaaqoub in a suburb of Barcelona this afternoon.

On August 18, five suspects—wearing fake suicide vests—struck several people before overturning their car in Cambrils. At least one suspect exited the vehicle armed with a knife. Police confronted and killed the assailants. The attack killed one and injured seven, including a police officer.

Spanish authorities linked an explosion in Alcanar on August 16 to the attacks in Barcelona and Cambrils and believe the operatives had originally planned to use improvised explosive devices at locations throughout the country. These attacks adhere to ISIS’s broader messaging that encourages sympathizers to target the West in response to military action “against the lands of the Muslims.”

NJOHSP facilitates physical security site assessments in coordination with county infrastructure coordinators, risk mitigation planners, and law enforcement. It also compiles a list of special events scheduled throughout the state. To share information on upcoming events in your jurisdiction, submit a Special Events Form at https://www.njhomelandsecurity.gov/specialevents.

We encourage New Jersey’s residents to report suspicious activity to local law enforcement and to NJOHSP by calling 1-866-4-SAFE-NJ or by emailing tips@njohsp.

This web site was prepared at the direction of the New Jersey Office of Homeland Security and Preparedness pursuant to its authority under Executive Order No. 5 of 16 March 2006, and to provisions of the New Jersey Domestic Security Preparedness Act. This web page may contain confidential, sensitive homeland security information that shall not be deemed to be public record under the provisions of P.L. 1963, c. 73 (c.47:1A-1, et seq.) or the common law concerning access to public records.